Beirut: Lebanon's Higher Relief Commission received a flour donation from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), in cooperation with UNRWA, during a ceremony at Beirut Port attended by Turkish Ambassador Murat Ltem, Higher Relief Commission Secretary-General Brigadier General Bassam Nabulsi, UNRWA Lebanon Director Dorothee Klaus, and representatives of the Economy Ministry.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, Nabulsi thanked Turkey, AFAD, and UNRWA for their continued humanitarian support to Lebanon, stating that the flour donation would contribute directly to food security and assist Palestinian refugees, displaced Lebanese families, and other vulnerable communities.

Turkish Ambassador Ltem stated that Turkey had provided around 4,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to Lebanon over the past two years in response to crises linked to Israeli hostilities. He announced that AFAD was providing a total of 2,000 tons of flour for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, reaffirming Ankara's commitment to supporting Lebanon and Palestinian communities.

Klaus noted that the shipment received at Beirut Port represented the first installment of 1,000 metric tons of wheat flour donated by the Turkish government. She mentioned that the assistance would provide flour and bread to Palestinian refugees and displaced Lebanese affected by the economic repercussions of recent hostilities.

She highlighted that Palestinian refugee poverty rates have ranged between 70 and 80 percent in recent years, while many displaced Lebanese remain dependent on assistance after losing or being forced away from their livelihoods.

UNRWA has mobilized a network of bakeries and partner organizations to provide bread twice weekly to Palestinian refugee families, in addition to distributing household flour parcels, Klaus explained.

The Higher Relief Commission mentioned that the initiative reflected continued cooperation among Lebanese authorities, Turkey, AFAD, and UNRWA to address humanitarian needs and strengthen support for the most vulnerable communities.